Over 2,000 patients on trolleys over past year

OVER 2,000 patients have spent time on trolleys at Wexford General Hospital during the past year, according to figures provided by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The INMO conducts a regular ' Trolley Watch' throughout the year at hospitals around the country, including Wexford, which yesterday (Tuesday) had 27 patients on trolleys, making it one of the worst in the country, with higher figures than even some of the big Dublin hospitals.

Figures for the past year (September 2009 to August 2010 inclusive) show that 2,032 patients have been on trolleys in Wexford General at some point during that time.

This was less than hospitals in the major urban centres like Cork and Galway, but more than comparable General Hospital.

Nationally, the INMO figures show that 70,116 patients spent time on trolleys in Irish hospitals during that 12-month period.

The INMO has called on the HSE to immediately open all closed beds, among other measures, to end ' the misery endured by patients and others.'